Ghana’s former President J.J. Rawlings in the spotlight

“Somalia, the Horn of Africa and Food Security”

Address by His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings, former President of Ghana and African Union High Representative for Somalia – Second Annual Conference of the Center for Technology and Economic Development, New York University, Abu-Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – February 12, 2012

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:

What can I tell you that you do not already know about Somalia? One only need to open any major newspaper and almost on a daily basis something is written about the humanitarian crisis that is playing itself out across the Horn of Africa.

Prof. Yaw Nyarko, NYU, introducing President Rawlings

Ladies and gentlemen, I can best describe the situation in Somalia as an intense drama that has great potential to end in tragedy or good fortune.

Since the alarm was raised in mid-2011 of the dire situation in the Horn of Africa, particularly Somalia, the international Community has shown overwhelming support for the situation contributing millions in cash and kind to alleviate the situation. The United Nations improved the status of the famine in Somalia recently and that is due to the contributions of countries like the United Arab Emirates.

Unfortunately, Ladies and Gentlemen, there is more to the issue of food security across the world.

The world has survived a food crisis that reared its head in 2007 – 2008. Some did not survive it.

Since I started addressing you approximately 30 children somewhere have died of hunger. By the time I have finished 300 would have died. And by this time next year 6 million more children will be dead due to hunger.

This “silent” horror is happening right now despite the fact that there is indeed enough food to feed the world.

Research has demonstrated that hunger in modern times is not typically the product of a lack of food, but rather that hunger usually arise from problems in food distribution networks or from governmental policies in the developing world.

During the visit President Rawlings also had discussions with interest groups on support for Somalia

As I speak we are experiencing a second global food crisis that was also partly responsible for the Arab Awakening that spread across the Middle East and North Africa since 18 December 2010.

To top it all, the world is experiencing a global financial crisis of immense proportions.

Earlier this week it was reported that both the UN and IMF predict that growth in developed capitalist countries will be 1.2 to 1.3 percent only, amidst very high unemployment and extreme income inequalities.

They also revealed that countries like China and India now face economic slow down – countries which have been the locomotive of the global economy especially since the financial crisis of 2008.

Ladies and gentlemen:

We have responsibility as business people, academics and chosen leaders of our countries to champion the cause of global equality in food distribution.

About eighteen months ago the international community recognised the developing humanitarian disaster in the Horn of Africa and began to move resources around the region.

However, the wheels turned slowly. Then suddenly on 20 July 2011 the UN declared several parts of Somalia a famine zone. As reported in the media, “exhausted, rail-thin women were stumbling into refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia with dead babies and bleeding feet.”

It is estimated that between 50,000 and 100,000 people – mainly babies and children – lost their lives within the short space of six months.

Only when the world was exposed to the horrific drama unfolding across the Horn of Africa – and especially through visual proof – that action became the key word.

Despite an announcement by the UN last week that the famine “is over”, it is estimated that a further US$ 1.5 billion is required to prevent the situation from returning to a state of famine.

To try and illustrate the enormity of the problem, Cargill, the Minnesota-based producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products, recently donated 10,000 metric tons of rice to WFP USA to be distributed in the Horn of Africa. The group said the donation – the largest ever food donation to WFP USA – would feed nearly 1 million people for a month.

The need is to feed between 2.3 and 9.5 million people across the Horn of Africa for the rest of this year. The enormous donation above is therefore just a drop in the ocean.

More than 2.3 million Somalis, almost one-third of the population, are still in need of aid. Across the Horn of Africa region, a staggering 9.5 million people still need help.

Famine is expected to return to the region in the next 100 days if substantial aid cannot be raised in time.

Ladies and gentlemen:

There is no doubt that short-term aid alone does not provide a guarantee for long term and sustainable solutions for the region and Somalia specifically.

What is crystal clear, however, is that the absence of short-term aid to halt and turn this humanitarian crisis around will frustrate the implementation of longer-term solutions that will ensure food security and prosperity for millions in the region.

The most important issues related to food security in Somalia and the Horn of Africa are:

Security;

The political process;

Counter-terrorism;

Piracy;

Local stability;

Humanitarian; and

International co-ordination.

There is no doubt that conflict and insecurity has a major impact on food security.

Somalia, ravaged by nearly uninterrupted civil war for the past two decades, is one of the most dangerous places in the world for aid workers and one of the regions that needs them most.

Ladies and gentlemen:

Restoring security in Somalia is very high on the agenda.

Without security, aid efforts will be threatened and the humanitarian situation could turn into another crises. Without security, development will be a pipe dream. Without security, stability as foundation for a prosperous Somalia will turn into quicksand.

Recent advances in the security situation in Somalia by the joint efforts of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the forces of the Transitional Federal Government are very promising.

However, as stated by the President of Puntland State of Somalia, Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud at the just ended 21st Meeting of the International Contact Group on Somalia in Djibouti City, security remains precarious in Somalia as a whole, and more particularly in Mogadishu and the south-central regions.

Ladies and gentlemen:

In order to establish the required security and stability it will be necessary that the United Nations Security Council approves the strengthening of the AMISOM Forces from its current level of 12,000 to the requested level of 17,700.

The international community is urged to support the process through the provision of force enablers and other important logistics such as reconnaissance helicopters to make the role of AMISOM and TFG more efficient. It has been done in Afghanistan and repeated last year in Cote d’Ivoire so there is no reason why it cannot be done in Somalia.

Ladies and gentlemen:

Once security has been ensured in Somalia the next essential factor will be to also ensure food security and a stable and democratically elected government in Somalia that will formulate and implement the right policies.

The next six months are critical towards achieving this end. The mandate of the Transitional Federal Government to formulate a new constitution for Somalia was extended last August by one year. It is clear that the international community will not tolerate any further extensions of this deadline.

Somalia has gone through different forms of political transition for the past 20 years, and the international community as well as Somalis “are asking what the future holds and whether the leaders will deliver on the promises of the Transitional Federal Charter, the Djibouti agreement, the Kampala accord, the Roadmap, and most recently the Garowe Principles.

I have over the past one month travelled to Mogadishu twice and held several meetings in Somalia and Kenya to resolve a crises in the Transitional Federal Parliament that has the potential of stalling the peace process. At the last International Contact Group meeting in Djibouti I made it clear that: “As facilitators of the peace process we will continue to impress on those who have made attempts to stall the process to allow sanity to prevail so the axe of sanctions does not fall on their heads.”

This concern is shared by the international community and never has there been a more critical time for the people of Somalia to resolve their differences and unite to embark on a journey towards peace, stability and progress for the country and its entire people.

Once Somalia, with the continued support of the international community, has managed to create a secure and stable environment led by a legitimate, accountable and committed government, the third critical factor will be the establishment of food security policies that will include sufficient investment in both agriculture and agricultural research.

In November 2009, AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa) and NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) launched a partnership to collaborate on achieving an African Green Revolution and the goals set by the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP). Through the programme, African governments committed to allocating at least 10 percent of their national budgets to agriculture, in pursuit of six percent annual agricultural growth.

Given the situation in Somalia a much higher investment than 10 percent of national budget may be required, and yet again the commitment by the international community towards this goal will be essential.

The security situation in Somalia has led to total underinvestment in both agricultural development and research, and it is hoped that both the government of Somalia and the international community will regard this as a top priority on the development agenda.

An essential part of Somalia’s food security policy must include the establishment of programmes to protect the vulnerable, especially children and women, from rising food prices and shortages.

The situation that developed in Somalia could have been managed, and must be managed in the future to prevent the occurrence of another humanitarian crisis.

Ladies and gentlemen:

Other issues necessary to return normality to Somalia include the issue of piracy and crime. Poverty and unemployment plays a major role in driving the youth to engage in such practices.

The economic reconstruction and development of Somalia including massive foreign investment will hopefully be an automatic result of a secure and stable Somalia that will lead to job creation and prosperity for all.

The dramatic improvement in the welfare of Mozambique following peace is a prime example of what can and should happen in Somalia.

Ladies and gentlemen:

There is little doubt that Somalia and subsequently the regions across the Horn of Africa face a bright future.

Somalia is endowed with people that are hungry for an end to twenty years of conflict – people who are ready to embrace peace, reconstruction, development and prosperity.

Somalia is also endowed with vast mineral and oil resources that have as yet to be exploited and put to use to help build the much-needed prosperity.

If the international community can walk the last mile with Somalia then the prospect for peace and stability can be guaranteed.

Ladies and gentlemen:

The UN might have revoked the status of famine in Somalia. But the situation is far from stable and further and consistent humanitarian aid is required to stabilize food security and sow confidence, particularly amongst Somalis in areas liberated by AMISOM and TFG forces.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: Before I conclude, allow me to commend the League of Arab States for its decision to host an extraordinary meeting on February 19 to discuss latest developments in Somalia and seek a coordinated position ahead of the much-talked about London Conference on Somalia to be hosted by the UK government on February 23.

The International Community needs to go into the London Conference with a clear and defined agenda to bolster the final stages of the Somali roadmap so that by August this year, there is a new phase of political leadership and governance in Somalia that inspires confidence and gives real meaning to the sacrifices by troops of the AMISOM and the TFG who have laid down their lives to liberate large areas of Somalia.

We have to join hands in finally turning the tragedy of Somalia into a story of hope, peace, success and development.

I wish to express my gratitude to the Center for Technology and Development for offering me an opportunity to be part of this inspiring conference.